Dave, Criminals, plus horses, plus rubbish dumps. You could be describing many places in England. This is obviously a universal problem.
I am always vigilant, except when I am asleep, then I am not very vigilant at all.
John, I forgot that the director likes to gently make fun of people by using American English slang. He actually said "...between two con stables." Let me explain... Here "con" is short for "convict," someone who is serving time in a jail or prison. One sacred American tradition is for ex-cons (former convicts) to buy and operate horse stables. In many communities these persons tend to congregate in the same neighborhood and build trash dumps between their abutting lots. Now you should be able to understand the meaning of what you heard. It's a sad state of affairs when a recognized artistic genius is ridiculed at the Tate Gallery. I am going to have a word with that "polite" man. Remain vigilant in the face of such setbacks.
Dave, I took this picture to the Tate Gallery and said to the director, where is the best place to hang this. After a few seconds of deep thought he said, "I can see this between two Constables". Then he fell about laughing and threw me out. But he was very polite, a really lovely man.
Dave, To elaborate, in London we have a place called the Tate Gallery where paintings of the finest quality are hung. Then there is another place called the Tate Modern Art gallery where the most unbelievable crap/rubbish is displayed. It is not the word Tate that is bad, it is the idea of being in the Tate Modern that is horrifying.
I wasn't aware that "Tate" could have a derogatory meaning. Upon reading your caption, I felt the need to respond with a little bit of teasing. The word "Tate" (signifying a hallowed place of artworks) came to mind. No insult intended.
If not the "Tate Gallery," how about the "Along the River Thames" gallery?
Dave, As a master of the double-entendre your comment teases me.
In the Tate gallery, a fine compliment indeed.
In the Tate Modern art gallery, possibly a derogatory remark.(polite word for insult)
I am not sure I wish to know which one. In case I am wrong.
